We’re pleased to be partnering with MAKE magazine to spread the word about their free virtual summer Maker Camp hosted on Google+. The program is designed for teens, but younger children can participate with a parent or friend who’s old enough to have a Google+ account.

Program Features 30 Projects in 30 Days with Online Hangouts, Camp Counselors

MAKE magazine wants the experience of summer camp to be available to every teen, no matter where they live or their financial circumstances. On July 16, MAKE will launch Maker Camp on Google+, the first of its kind. This free virtual camp offers teens 13-18 years old 30 projects in 30 days through Google+ Hangouts.

“Making is a wonderful way for kids to explore and experiment. Our goal this summer is to encourage everyone to make something and share it with family and friends,” said Dale Dougherty, founder and publisher of MAKE magazine, a division of O’Reilly Media. “A maker-themed camp is a great way to accomplish this, especially for teens who are avid users of social media. They can make amazing projects and also meet new friends by sharing their Google+ circle of friends with others through Maker Camp.”

Maker Camp adapts many of the best experiences of summer camp and organizes them online with Google+ so that an unlimited number of teens can participate. In addition, the days of the week are themed to ensure there are projects that appeal to every camper’s interests: Maker Monday; Tinkering Tuesday; Weird Science Wednesday; Theoretical Thursday; and, Field Trip Friday.

On Mondays through Thursdays, new projects are introduced every morning by an expert camp counselor who walks teens through the steps to making the project, offering tips and advice. In the afternoon, the camp counselor hosts a Google+ Hangout On Air to offer campers a chance to ask questions, and share their projects with photos and videos. On Fridays, the camp director hosts a virtual field trip to epic destinations via the Hangout On Air feature of Google+.

Some of the projects featured during Maker Camp on Google+ are popular ones from MAKE’s 3D “School’s Out” special issue, such as compressed air rockets, a pinhole panoramic camera, and a mason jar biosphere. Materials lists for each project are posted ahead of time so campers can gather supplies for upcoming projects. Most materials and tools are common household items such as duct tape, pliers, and glue. Other items are easily and inexpensively obtained at grocery or hardware stores.

Maker Camp on Google+ is free and open to kids 13 years or older. To join, teens simply need to create a Google+ profile and follow MAKE on G+. Click to learn more about For more information about Maker Camp on Google+.

Last month Chicago area MomImpact members were treated to a presentation on How to Choose the Perfect Color at a local Benjamin Moore retailer. Color wizard Mary Hoffman, a third generation Benjamin Moore employee, talked to us in a way that made zillions of paint colors seem a little less overwhelming and a lot more fun.

After an inspiring presentation, we headed over to Casa de Renovation to look at the color themes suggested by Evelyn Martinez, a designer provided by the brand to help select colors for my house. What happened when the energetic crowd headed over to my house?

No wait, that all came later. When we got to the house, Mary and Beth, also from Benjamin Moore, drew a winner for the Grand Prize of the Evening- a personal in-home color consultation from Benjamin Moore. Lucky Melanie from Tales from the Crib won.

I awarded a few lesser prizes- an old key to the house, vintage wallpaper scraps (removed from my wall earlier that day) and a chance to hammer a hole in the wall that will soon (pretty please) be demolished.

Oh dear, it appears the other Jen forgot to take home her strip of vintage wallpaper. I’ll have to remember to bring it to her the next time we’re together.

Alli won my hip-again lime green sheer living room curtains- an item I didn’t even know I was giving away. But really, I’ll give almost any old thing away to a good home.

Everybody who showed up is a winner because they received coupons for Benjamin Moore sample pints.

I hope they go bold.

Maybe they will. After all, Kathy, (below) a blog friend dating back to when dinosaurs ruled the digital space in 2006, has been pondering a color change. And Lisa learned a few tips to help with her troubled yellow bathroom walls.